ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Sophomore
Drew Buslee (Eagan, Minn.) poured in 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while teammates
Lauren Arnold (Chanhassen, Minn.) and
Megan Morgan (Winona, Minn.) also reached double figures, but the College of Saint Benedict dropped a 77-64 decision to Concordia-Moorhead in MIAC play Saturday, Dec. 6, at Claire Lynch Hall.
The loss dropped the Bennies to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC. Concordia, which continued its efficient early season run, improved to 6-1 and 2-0 in conference action.
Buslee set a career high at the foul line, sinking 13 of 16 free throws on her way to a team-best 19 points. She added two steals and three offensive rebounds. Arnold matched her career high with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, and Morgan finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, knocking down three of her seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Cold shooting proved costly for Saint Benedict, which managed just 29.7 percent from the field (19-of-64) and 4-of-25 from three-point range. Despite the struggles from deep, the Bennies kept themselves in striking distance with defense and solid free-throw shooting, converting 22-of-28 attempts (78.6 percent). Concordia controlled the boards with a 36-23 advantage.
Where the Cobbers separated themselves was with their accuracy in field goal shooting. Concordia shot 52.3 percent overall (23-of-44) and hit 7-of-12 from long range. They added 24-of-31 at the line (77.4 percent). CSB's defensive pressure did generate 21 Cobber turnovers—compared to just 10 of its own—and the Bennies held a 19-9 edge in points off turnovers along with a 16-7 advantage in second-chance points. Still, Concordia owned a 28-24 margin in points in the paint.
Concordia set the tone early, hitting three first-quarter threes to take a 16-9 lead. The Cobbers stayed hot in the second, shooting 66.7 percent to extend the margin to 37-25 at halftime. Early in the third, the deficit grew to 15 before CSB strung together eight straight points. Morgan's three-pointer trimmed the gap to 43-36, but Concordia responded with a closing 10-4 run to take a 53-40 lead into the final quarter.
Saint Benedict made a late push in the fourth—shooting 40 percent from the field and 11-of-12 at the line—to pull within seven. But the Cobbers delivered a near-perfect offensive finish, hitting 6-of-7 shots and adding 10 free throws to seal the win. Concordia was led by 14 points apiece from Maya Metcalf and Molly Mustard.
The Bennies return to Claire Lynch Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 10, hosting Gustavus Adolphus at 7 p.m.
